Our stay in Hanoi was centered in and around the Old Quarter, a bustling area with a maze of streets lined with shops, cafés, food stalls, and restaurants, with Hoan Kiem Lake and its lovely surrounding park nearby. Many of the local people seem to enjoy sitting along the sidewalk on their stoops or on plastic chairs and stools, at times sharing a meal with friends, enjoying a cup of tea, or just socializing, their laid-back behavior in striking contrast to the frenzy of passing motorbikes and other traffic.

Hanoi Streets and People

Ly Thai To, founder of Hanoi, who ruled as emperor of both the Dai Co Viet Dynasty and the Ly Dynasty, 1009–1028. The bronze statue stands near Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake.

Schoolchildren gather for a group photo at the Martyrs' Monument, dedicated to the men and women who fought for the independence of Vietnam, near Hoan Kiem Lake

A broad thoroughfare near Hoan Kiem Lake was closed to traffic, allowing many groups of youngsters to take advantage of the space to play games.

The partially-visible building with the Hoang Long sign in front is of a type commonly seen. Because buildings are taxed based on their width, many houses are extremely narrow but built to be three or four stories high.

Monument and park dedicated to Lenin. The statue was a gift from the U.S.S.R.

Visitors to the One Pillar Pagoda

Selfie time at the Temple of Literature

Schoolchildren buying breakfast before heading to their school, just in back of these shops

Anthuriums in one area of a park that surrounds Hoan Kiem Lake

In the background, Turtle Tower, Thap Rua, used at times as an icon to represent Hanoi